The National Park Service (NPS) has allocated $10.7 million to fund 15 preservation projects across eight states through the Historic Preservation Fund’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) grant program. This initiative aims to safeguard historic structures on HBCU campuses, ensuring their cultural significance endures.
Among the projects funded this year are renovations at Simmons College’s Steward Hall, Delaware State University’s Hope House, and Cheyney University of Pennsylvania’s Melrose Cottage. These campuses will undergo repairs ranging from window and door rehabilitations to electrical system upgrades, benefiting both historical preservation and campus functionality.
Funding for these projects comes from Congress via the Historic Preservation Fund, which leverages revenue from federal oil and gas leases on the Outer Continental Shelf, ensuring preservation efforts do not rely on taxpayer dollars. Established in 1977, the fund has contributed over $2 billion to historic preservation efforts nationwide.
The impact extends beyond individual campuses, however. Since the 1990s, NPS has distributed $60 million to more than 80 HBCUs. This year’s grants will benefit other HBCUs as well, including Alcorn State University, Rust College, Jackson State University, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Selma University, Benedict College, and Voorhees University.
In a press release, Chuck Sams, NPS director, said, “It’s vital for America’s HBCUs to preserve their vibrant history, ensuring that the places and the events that happened there are not forgotten.”
These efforts protect not only the structural integrity but also the profound significance of these remarkable edifices, cementing their legacy for generations to come.
